1. Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa is the tallest structure ever built on Earth. Even while it was under construction, its exact height was kept secret so the architects could make last-minute adjustments and outdo any rival. Can you feel the scale of that ambition? Inside, it is a true “city within a city.” There is everything here: a hotel, apartments, offices, hundreds of shops, fitness clubs, pools, restaurants, and more. It even smells of success and wealth – the air carries a fragrance created especially for Burj Khalifa!

2. Burj Al Arab Sail Hotel

This is, without a doubt, one of the most luxurious hotels in the world! Rising straight out of the water 300 meters off the coast, it looks exactly as a real sail should. Its architecture is so unique, its rooms so lavish, and its service so flawless that it became the only hotel in the world to be awarded 7 stars. Nearly a hundred tons of gold, tens of thousands of marble slabs, and simply countless crystals were brought here to decorate the interiors. This architectural wonder is worth seeing at least once in your life – and ideally not just seeing, but staying there too!

3. Dubai Mall

And once again there is no getting around the word “biggest” :) Dubai Mall is the largest shopping and entertainment center in the world! Its area is 1.2 million square meters, and only a third of that huge space is given over to shops. Everything else is devoted to leisure and entertainment. There is an aquarium, an underwater zoo, an ice rink, a giant amusement park, and an entire cinema complex.

4. Aquarium at Dubai Mall

One of the largest aquariums in the world, it has a glass panel so big it can be compared to a three-story building. Through it you can watch the lives of 33,000 marine creatures, including several hundred sharks alone! So visitors can “walk along the ocean floor,” the aquarium features an enormous tunnel. A special lighting system also imitates the change of day and night, constantly changing the look of this amazing underwater kingdom.

5. Palm Jumeirah

This giant artificial island can even be seen from space! And that is despite the fact that Jumeirah is considered the smallest of the “palm islands,” which extended Dubai’s coastline by more than 500 kilometers. No wonder these “palms” were hailed as the “eighth wonder of the world”! Palm Jumeirah is home to a luxurious hotel with a water park and private residences. To let visitors fully enjoy the island’s beauty, a high-speed monorail was built here.

6. Madinat Jumeirah

A true paradise for lovers of luxury and comfort on the shores of the Persian Gulf. “Madinat” means “city” in Arabic, so this resort is not just a single building but an entire complex of villas built in an eastern style. All the buildings are linked by waterways, so guests can move around the resort not only on foot or by electric cart, but also by traditional abra boats.

7. Al Bastakiya District

Even though Dubai is an ultra-modern city, there is still room here for history. Al Bastakiya is an entire district where you can see old Arab buildings constructed back in the 19th century. Above their roofs rise special wind towers that once served as air conditioners. They caught the breeze and directed it into the interior rooms. Only wealthy residents could afford such houses – merchants who had moved here from the Iranian region of Bastak, which is how the district got its name.

8. Al Fahidi Fort

The oldest structure in Dubai that has survived to this day. The first fortifications on this site appeared back in the 18th century, while the fort as we know it now was built in 1878. For more than 130 years it served not only as protection from raids, but also as a prison. By the end of the 20th century Al Fahidi Fort had fallen into decline, and the emir ordered it to be restored and turned into a museum. Today it is the city’s main historical collection, preserving local and imported antiquities and artifacts.

9. Dubai Creek

This waterway is no less important a historical treasure than Al Fahidi Fort or the old houses of Bastakiya. It witnessed Dubai’s explosive economic growth. Just 50 years ago barefoot boys ran along its banks waiting for pearl divers, while today the world’s most expensive yachts moor at its piers. The creek divides the city into two parts – Deira and Bur Dubai. A boat trip along Dubai Creek is the best way to admire the luxury and grandeur of the modern metropolis from the water.

10. Jumeirah Mosque

It is simply impossible to walk past this magnificent Dubai landmark! It captivates with its grand forms, carved reliefs, and richly decorated interior. Jumeirah is one of the few mosques in the Emirates that any tourist can enter, regardless of religion. And it is definitely worth stepping inside – if only to see the beautiful columns, painted vaults, enormous dome, and much more with your own eyes. The main thing is to think about your outfit in advance: shorts and tank tops are not allowed inside the mosque.